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Monday, November 19, 2012

November 19 2012 Philippine Suertres/Swertres Tips and Lotto Results

By Miles Godfrey, AAP Social Media Reporter
AAP
November 19, 2012 1:42PM

A GIANT waterspout that developed off NSW's south coast may be one of the largest ever caught on camera in Australia.

The towering twister appeared off Batemans Bay on Sunday afternoon and spectacular images of the swirling, dark grey vortex rapidly spread around the world via social media sites.

Bureau of Meteorology severe weather forecaster Mick Logan said the waterspout, which lasted about 20 minutes, attracted so much attention because it was particularly well-formed and intense.

"It's the most intense that I've seen off the NSW coast," he told AAP.

"There's not many photos that I would know of that have come in with something as strong as that one."

Mr Logan said waterspouts were more commonly spotted off Australia's east coast in late autumn, when the sea temperature was warmer and the air cooler.

The last one reported by AAP was in February off the coast of Medowie, north of Newcastle, in February.

"But in the digital age there's more and more footage coming in of them," Mr Logan added.

Meanwhile, amazing video footage of severe hail and thunderstorms which affected southeast Queensland on Sunday is also being posted online.

One video, posted by Flinn McKenzie and shot from a balcony, begins with the fast-moving storm visible in the distance and a person just off camera commenting: "It's getting closer - it hasn't arrived yet."